Most people (including me) overestimate the amount of risk inherent in career changes, entrepreneurial ventures, and new projects.
Earnings and joy may be inversely proportional in a traditional career.
Entrepreneur and StartupCareerAdvice.com contributing author Keith Cowing just wrote an excellent post on evaluating career risk that describes this phenomenon and gives specific feedback on how to overcome it.
In not so many words, it all comes down to taking measured, smart career risks, so that when you take the big leap … it’s actually not that big of a leap at all.
My favorite passage from the post:
If you want to make a change in your career, take a micro risk today. Devote 20 minutes and a little bit of planning to whatever it is you want to pursue. Do that for 3 weeks straight and you’ll be amazed how far you can get, without risking anything. So many people point to the “high risks” associated with ventures, changes in your career, etc., as an excuse to not make progress. Get rid of that excuse, take tiny steps and tiny risks, and over time create opportunities for yourself where you can chase upside without jumping off a cliff.
By the way, if you’re looking for a startup job here’s another great post from Keith about the 7 rules for getting hired at a startup.
